Adapter for low voltage lamps



Jan. 2, 1968 H. L. BERG E AL ,90

ADAPTER FOR LOW VOLTAGE LAMPS Filed Aug. 11, 1965 x v /3 /0 P 9//\/I//VTORS haro/o Lfiery, And

C/ayzon 5. Lyons" 3,351,888 Patented Jan. 2, 1968 ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE An adapter for the use of low voltage sealed beam electriclamps with standard high voltage sockets, which positions a transformerbetween the lamp and socket.

This invention relates to adapters to make possible the use of low coststandard, low voltage, high intensity and highly efiicient electriclamps conventionally used as automobile headlights and signal lampswhere a low voltage power source is not available.

Modern home owners and business managers frequently desire a highintensity of light for decorative purposes, to illuminate buildings andsigns, for protection from criminals, and for the enjoyment of theirproperties after dark. Photographers need high intensity lighting inspite of improvements in lenses and films.

Many specialized lights are available for particular purposes, but suchlights are always expensive to purchase, often are relatively fragile,and frequently are relatively short-lived. Conventional 110 volt spot orflood lamps consume 150 watts and produce a light intensity comparableto automobile type lamps which consume substantially less watts.

This invention provides a low cost adapter which makes it possible toutilize a standard 110 volt light socket to provide the current tooperate a standard six or twelve volt automobile type lamp.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a low cost source ofhigh intensity illumination, utilizing readily available power sourcesand lamps.

Another object is to provide an adapter which will permit the use ofstandard 110 volt light sockets in the utilization of automobile typelamps.

A still further object is to provide a source of high intensityillumination which has a long operating life, can Withstand mechanicalshocks and exposure to rain, snow and great extremes of ambienttemperatures.

Another object is to enable consumers to substantially reduce the costof power necessary to produce a desired level of illumination.

Other objects will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from astudy of the following description and the drawing which represents across section view of the preferred embodiment.

In the drawing which is a cross-section through the axis of the device,the numeral 1 represents generally an adapter shell which is providedwith a standard male connector 2 adapted for insertion into a standard110 volt lamp socket.

Adapter 1 has an enlarged portion 3 which encloses a transformer 4.Leads 5, 6 join connector 2 to the primary of transformer 4. Leads 7, 8connect the secondary of transformer 4 to deliver 6 or 12 volt currentto the filament terminals 9, 10 of a standard automobile headlamp 11.

Such lamps conventionally comprise a filament 12 and a reflector 13enclosed in a sturdy, sealed glass bulb 14.

Adapter 1 is of a generally conical shape which permits lamp 11 to beinserted into the large open end and moved down until it encounters aportion of the cone which is the same size as the outside diameter oflamp 11.

A rubber ring 15 is next pressed down over three or more depressedbosses 16 to resiliently fill the space between the bosses and the lamp,and to lock the lamp in position.

Adapter 1 is preferably made of sheet aluminum or other material whichhas insufiicient strength to injure lamp 11 by unequal thermal expansionof adapter and lamp.

At an upper portion of adapter 1 are another series of depressed bosses17 which are provided for the mounting of colored lenses or sheets asmay be desired under certain circumstances. Bosses 16 and 17 arepreferably formed by piercing inwardly the side walls of adapter 1,which operation provides drain holes 18 to permit the escape of rainwater or melted snow which may collect above rubber ring 15'. j

The rubber ring 15' effectively prevents the flow of rain water ormelted snow from above lamp 11 into the enclosure portion 3 andtransformer 4.

Transformer 4 is designed for the particular ratio of input to outputvoltages which is appropriate. The particular form of the transformer orthe means for attaching it to adapter 1 are not essential elements ofthis invention. In areas providing a 220 volt power source instead ofvolt, appropriate transformers can easily be substituted, by one skilledin the art.

Many automobile headlight lamps are provided with two filaments for highand low beam adjustment. Such headlight lamps may be used Within thepurview of this invention alternately by providing a selecteor switchmounted on the adapter 1 at the enlarged portion 3 adjacent thetransformer 4, or by simply connecting the transformer secondary leads7, 8 to either pair of the filament terminals and leaving the other pairunused.

Although we have described a preferred embodiment of our invention, Wedo not intend to be limited except within the purview of the followingclaim.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an electric lamp adapter a conical shell having at its small end amale 110 volt electric connector, a standard low voltage automobileheadlamp fitted into the large end of said conical shell, a transformerinside said shell between said connector and said headlamp, means forelectrically connecting said connector, said transformer and saidheadlamp, a resilient ring surrounding said headlamp and pressing theouter periphery of said headlamp against the inner wall of said shell,projections pierced from said shell retaining said resilient ring inposition, and means axially spaced from said projections for mountingwithin said conical shell a lamp having a different outside diameter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,469,187 9/1923 Kuen 240-41.51,781,865 11/1930 Aniol 240-41.5 2,894,693 7/1959 Howarth 240.413,201,581 8/1965 Hirsch 24051.5 3,270,192 8/ 1966 Watson 2403.1

FOREIGN PATENTS 210,162 8/1955 Australia. 741,243 11/ 1943 Austria.

NORTON ANSI-1BR, Primary Examiner.

W. M. FRYE, Assistant Examiner.

